Steering shaft assembly replacement - Borgeson

[Lynn_Schwartz]

Hi guys - I need some suggestions concerning the installation of the Borgeson replacement steering shaft assembly. I managed to milk this 1-2 hour project for about 9 hours.



I kept the wheels straight as the instructions instructed and the wheel centered.



The easy part is geting the old steering shaft out (took me a while to figure out that I needed 13mm size socket - and they are socked in very tight. I used a little liquid wrench.



I attached the steering wheel end first. Its sort of a round female type fitting with two flat sides. It fit up nicely and I was able to tighten the two set screws without difficulty.



Next I attempted to fit of the steering box end. I soon discoverd that I did not have enough upper body strength to slide the slider shaft to lengthen the the steering shaft. When I finallly figured out how (used wire and windless technology) to match up the lower universal with the splined shaft I discovered that the steering box splined shaft was 90* off when compared to the steering shaft. So... I put a vise grip on the shaft and turned it till the set screw matched up with the "flat" spot the instructions say to set the set screw in. Turned my windless and sliped the spline into the steering shaft very nicely. Tightened up all the set screws and locking nuts and went for a test drive. You guessed it the steering wheel is just about 90 degreess off when driving down the road. I thought I had screwed up so I came back home and took it all apart. No luck believe I have it installed correctly.



So now what do I do about the 90 Degree off center steering wheel?



Thanks in advance for any constructive comments. I have been getting the other kind all day from my wife.



Regards, Lynn

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Lynn,



I ran into the same problem as you when I did mine a few years ago. Borgeson's instructions are not that good.



Attach the top part of the Borgeson to the steering shaft. Line up the flat to the setscrew. Just like you did.



Now on the steering box, we are NOT going to use the flat the splined shaft has on it for the OEM shaft. You are going to use the flat on the shaft, after the splines end. It goes around 360 degrees. You'll see the Borgeseon Setscrew will line up nicely with the flat at the end of the splines. Don't push the Borgeson coulpling on too far where the steering box shaft will interfere with the u-joint. Just enough to line the setscrew up with the flat.





If your steering chuck is like mine, I couldn't push the Borgeson shaft far enough onto the steering chuck to line up the setscrew to the flat. There was about a 1/2" stem, or Stub Shaft or something like that that protrudes from the center of the steering chuck splined shaft. This serves no purpose. You will need to cut it off flush with the splined shaft. I used a hacksaw blade.



Try not to drive with the wheel off 90 degrees. I did this and ended up breaking the clockspring.



Let me know how you make out.

 

['956Wheel]

The Borgeson is tight on the sliding part but thats what ya want. I had to take the lower end off a few times to get the wheel straight. What was funny..... now, is when I finished the job I sent Mom on a test drive while I cleaned up, she came right back and said that thing is awful! Turns out I pushed the lower end till that stub just touched the u-joint... . die grinder with a cutoff wheel, zip... done. If I remember right there is a groove around the box shaft and both screws go into it. I used 242 loctite.





Mike

 

[Lynn_Schwartz]

Many many thanks

Bill R. You were right on. I pulled it apart tonight and took my saws all to the little pin thing that protrudes into the universal at the steering box end. It's not pretty but it's short now. Straightened the wheel and sliped them together. Worked the collar up past the flat spot you described so the pin was right over it. I quit for the night now and will finish maybe tomorrow. I can't get the allen wrench on the set screw now cause its moved into a no reach position. Tomorrow I will start the truck up and rotate the wheel so the screw is clear and tighten things all up. You mentioned the "clockspring" if I drove with the wheel 90* off center. As I have no idea what the clockspring is and now am somewhat worried maybe you could give me a short laymans description of what to be aware of. Thanks again for the benefit of your experience I could have had some real trouble.



Mike. I really appeciate your reply. I didn't use Locktight on the spline shaft. Is this something that would be a good idea to put on before I tighten things all up? What is its purpose? To make it easy to get off or very hard to get off. I'll hold off finishing till I hear from you. Thanks agan.



Regards, Lynn schwartz



Love this website

 

[HEMI®Dart]

If you hear a crunch when turning the wheel and the Airbag light comes on, cruise control does not work, you have busted the clockspring. Not a hard fix, but about $150 for a new clockspring. Dealer item only.



Try not to turn the wheel far either way.



I think Mike said to Locktite the setscrews when you are done. You don't want to put Locktite on the Splined shaft. It may take a few tries to get the Steering wheel straight. It was off center slightly during my test drive. I pulled the Borgeson off the chuck and rotated it ( Borgeson Shaft) about 3 splines and slipped it back on. You will see what I mean.

 

[TKemper]

Lynn, the clockspring is mounted behind the steering wheel. It basically functions just like a tape measure does, only it houses a flat tape type set of wires thats wound up. It connects the wiring harness in the steering column to the electric functions on the steering wheel. eg: horn, air bag, speed control The damage comes when it's over extended either direction, it runs out of tape then rips apart. I know... ... I didn't read the directions before i installed my Borgeson shaft and was turing the wheel while it was apart to locate a noise. End result was a broken clockspring. But, I was able to repair it with a little solder. Todd

 

[Lynn_Schwartz]

Thanks, Bill and Todd for the Clockspring explanation. My mechanical education over the years has been lacking - but this website sure helps.



I will get some "Loctight" for the set screws and not use any on the spline shaft. I appreciate your direction Bill.



I have had to hold off finishing up this little project as it is now raining and cold. I will post a status after my next test drive.



Again, my thanks to all for your assistance.



Regards, Lynn Schwartz

 

[duaneparks]

FWIW, the clockspring on some trucks has been recalled. So, if you did do damage to it, it *may* be covered under that recall.



I broke mine while turning around in a parking lot. I turned the wheel, it had some weird resistance to it, but I cranked it on over anyway to avoid hitting a parked car and SNAP! the ABS light came on, and it was "gruncha gruncha" every time I turned the wheel after that.



Took it to the dealer and it was fixed in 30 minutes under the recall. (I realize this is off topic... sorta)



Duane